Archived Storm Damage Blog Posts
3 Types of Damage To Expect From A Winter Storm
8/29/2022 (Permalink)
We’re equipped with the training and experience to handle whatever storm damage that nature may unexpectedly bring your way.
3 Types of Damage To Expect From A Winter Storm
When it comes to the snowy winter months, there is no doubt that storm damage repair services are in high demand. However, homeowners need to be aware of the damage a winter storm can cause.
What Types Of Damage Can I Expect in the Way of Damage?
Roof Leaks
Snow and winter storms may have a broad range of effects on your home. For example, if you have ice dams on your roof, water may flow through and into your walls, causing structural damage to your property. Also, the roofs may collapse due to excessive accumulation on them.
So, the roof can be damaged by excessive temperatures and freezing water's impact. If there are any gaps, they may quickly turn into a much more significant issue. In many cases, the weight of snow might be too great for a roof to bear, causing it to collapse.
Frozen Pipes.
It's possible that your plumbing might freeze if the weather drops below freezing. If water freezes and stretches, it may cause frozen pipes to explode. As the pipe freezes, the burst will emit water at high pressure from where it occurred. However, it's considerably more dangerous inside the house because it may not be located easily.
Fire
Winter storms aren't the only thing that may endanger people's lives; many more factors are at play. The winter months see the greatest energy usage overall since several home appliances, including heaters, are utilized often and for longer periods during this season. Leaving heat sources unattended increases the risk of fire in your house.
Are You Struggling To Recover From A Winter Storm? We've Got Your Back!
When you lose your assets and properties during a winter storm, we at SERVPRO of Newark Southwest Fremont realize how tough it is for you to recover. Immediately contact us so that you may get back on your feet. We have years of experience in dealing with storm damage restoration. So, we can vouch for high-quality service. Give us a call today at (510) 737-8793!
Emergency Storm Restoration: 3 Things To Do.
7/16/2022 (Permalink)
We’re equipped with the training and experience to handle whatever storm damage that nature may unexpectedly bring your way.
Emergency Storm Restoration: 3 Things To Do.
Storm damage is a problem that affects people throughout the globe daily. As a result, whether you've ever experienced a hurricane or will in the future, you must have a recovery strategy in place. Here are three things to do if you've been affected by storm damage
Know The Extent Of The Damage.
Taking a few measures before you begin the restoration procedure is vital, so you don't waste time and money. So, having a qualified restoration specialist evaluate the problem may help you choose the best line of action. Also, make sure you document the damage as soon as possible to show your insurer what occurred.
Get In Touch With Your Insurance Company.
You should contact your insurance carrier once you get a damage assessment to file a claim. When describing the weather-related damage to your house or company, you should be as specific as possible. Your insurance company should tell you what to do next and put you in contact with a few emergency restoration providers.
Collaborate With A Restoration Team Expert.
It's critical to conduct your homework before picking a restoration service. No one who intends to cut shortcuts or ignore the minor details should be working on your house or company. So, look out for a professional storm restoration service near you.
Your Trusted Storm Restoration Company.
If you've suffered storm damage, SERVPRO of Newark Southwest Fremont is here to help you figure out what to do next. In the event of a storm damage assessment, contact us at (510) 737-8793 and begin the process of rebuilding your home.
Winter Weather Tips
6/4/2022 (Permalink)
Keeping you home safe and warm from winter weather is important.
Winter Weather Tips
Wintry weather is great at turning up problems you didn’t even know you had. Like that first really cold night in front of your fireplace that you thought was pure bliss — until you noticed a leak in the ceiling corner, which apparently was caused by a lack of insulation. How were you supposed to know that?
Many homeowners don’t realize they’re making critical missteps that can cost a ton when winter sets in. Here are seven wintertime mistakes homeowners often make (and what they could cost you!):
- Not Buying a $2 Protector for Your Outdoor Faucet
What It’ll Cost You: Up to $15,000 and a whole lot of grief
It’s amazing what a little frozen water can do damage-wise. An inch of water in your basement can cost up to $15,000 to pump out and dry out. And, yet, it’s so easy to prevent, especially with outdoor faucets, which are the most susceptible to freezing temps.
The simplest thing to do is to remove your garden hose from your outdoor faucet and drain it. Then add a faucet protector to keep cold air from getting into your pipes. They’re really cheap (some are under $2; the more expensive ones are still less than $10). “Get these now! “When the weatherman says we’ve got cold coming, they’ll sell out in minutes.”
While you’re at it, make sure any exposed pipes in an unheated basement or garage are insulated, too, or you’ll face the same pricey problem.
Wrap pipes with foam plumbing insulation — before the weather drops. It’s cheap, too, just like the faucet cover (only $1 for six feet of polyethylene insulation). And it’s an easy DIY project, as long as you can reach the pipes.
- Instagramming Your Icicles Instead of Preventing Them
What It’ll Cost You: $500 — if you’re lucky; a lot more if you’re not
Those icicles make your mountain homes look so picturesque, you just gotta take a few pics. But you better make them quick. Those icicles can literally be a dam problem. (Yes, dam — not the curse word that sounds the same. )
Icicles are a clear sign that you’ve got an ice dam, which is exactly what it sounds like: a buildup of ice on your gutter or roof that prevents melting snow and ice from flowing through your gutters. That’s really bad news because these icy blocks can lead to expensive roofing repairs.
Depending on where you live, expect to pay at least $500 for each ice dam to be steamed off. Leave the ice and you risk long-term damage, which could ultimately cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to your roof, depending on what type of shingles you have and the size of the damaged area.
How to prevent them? Insulation. “Ice dams, icicles, and ice buildup on the gutters is a symptom of not enough insulation in the attic.
And “you need to have at least 14 inches of insulation in your attic, no matter where you live. If you live in a colder climate, you’ll need more.
If you don’t have the cash to insulate, heated gutter cables, which run between $50 and $150 each, can be a less expensive alternative when temporarily affixed to areas prone to ice damming.
- Going Lazy on Your Gutters
What It’ll Cost You: You really don’t want to be in a position to find out
It can be so tempting to skip gutter cleanups as winter nears. It seems like as soon as you clear your gutters, they clog right back up again. So what’s the point?
Well, if it looks like you’re living inside a waterfall when it rains, water is missing your gutter system completely. It’s being directed to your foundation instead. And a water-damaged foundation is never, ever cheap to fix.
A contractor can plug foundation cracks for $1,500 to $3,000, says David Verbofsky, director of training for exterior home products manufacturer Ply Gem. But a worse problem, one that requires a foundation excavation or rebuild, can set you back (gulp) $30,000 or more.
Suddenly, cleaning your gutters a few times each fall doesn’t seem so bad. A pro can do the work for anywhere between $70 and $250, depending on the size of your gutter system.
- Giving Cold Air a Chance to Sneak In
What It’ll Cost You: Nights where you never feel warm, despite sky-high heating bills
“If it were possible to take every crack on the outside of a typical home and drag them together, you’d have the equivalent of a three-by-three window open all the time,” says Lipford. Yikes.
Yet cracks can be easily and inexpensively sealed with a simple tube of caulk, and it’s available in hundreds of colors to match your window panes, outside siding, and even brick. Not sure where to caulk? Look for visible cracks around:
Window sills
Baseboards
Fireplace or dryer vents
Anywhere something inside pokes a hole to the outside
- Not Getting Personal with Your Thermostat
What It’ll Cost You: Money you could spend on something else besides heating
We all know we should, but we seem to have some mental block when it comes to programming our thermostats to align with our schedules. It’s not that hard, and sometimes all it takes is buying a new one that suits you. (Like maybe a Wi-Fi one that’ll give you a little money-saving thrill each time you swipe your app.)
“From a cost-savings perspective, a programmable thermostat is a great investment, as much as 10% off your energy bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Skipping Furnace Tune-Ups
What It’ll Cost You: A furnace that’ll die years before it should — and higher energy bills.
Forget to service your furnace and you could easily cut five years off the life of your system, five years is a full third of the typical unit’s life span. New units can cost around $4,000 installed, making the $125 annual maintenance charge a no-brainer.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to replace the furnace filter, which cleans the air in your home, and also keeps your furnace coils cleaner, which can shave up to 15% off your energy bill. We suggest at least every three months, but possibly as often as monthly if you have allergies, pets, or smoke cigarettes at home.
- Foregoing a Fireplace Inspection
What It’ll Cost You: Possibly your life — and your home
A cozy fire is great, but if you don’t maintain your chimney, a fire can cost you thousands of dollars, not to mention the risk to you and your family.
Schedule your maintenance appointment as early as you can.If you wait until the busy season, you’ll have a hard time getting them out there, you’ll pay more, and you’ll get a lower quality job.
Contact SERVPRO of Newark Southwest Fremont for storm damage at (510) 737-8793.
Why Hire Professionals to Provide Storm Flood Damage Restoration in Newark?
10/8/2021 (Permalink)
Regardless of the room that flooding affects, the situation can seem overwhelming. Contact SERVPRO for effective water removal.
SERVPRO Restorers Offer Effective Storm Flood Damage Restoration Services in Newark Homes
Flood damage may occur in any area, regardless of the elevation. Natural disasters like storms are the major cause of flooding. When you need to restore your property, it is essential to note that floodwater can weaken the structure, cause health effects, mold growth, persisting odors, and electric hazards among many others. Therefore, it is vital to involve experienced restoration professionals like SERVPRO immediately to restore the flooded areas.
Our team of technicians is always available since we understand how fast flood damage occurs in Newark homes. When we get to the affected property, we determine the extent of the damage before we begin extracting the excess water. We use advanced equipment and approved products to help us get your property to its best condition. Safety is our first priority during flood damage restoration. Our SERVPRO technicians can ensure the safety of everyone in the property by:
- Wearing protective gear.
- Turning off electricity at the main switch.
- Disposing of food affected by the floodwater.
SERVPRO IICRC-certified professionals also ensure to save as much property as possible to protect you from spending a lot of money on new items such as furniture and electronics. We ensure to remove affected items outside for proper drying and restoration. The more moisture sits in the property, the more the damage. We act fast by using necessary equipment to dry the affected areas. We can use self-propelled extraction tools to compress carpet and pad, squeeze out the excess water, and extract it by using vacuums.
Since moisture can hide in cracks and other areas that may be expensive to repair after demolishing, we can use structural cavity drying equipment that is attached to air movers to direct airflow into wall cavities. This increases the rate of evaporation in these areas to speed up drying. Floodwater may also cause persisting odors even after cleaning and drying the affected area. Our SERVPRO team can use microban to counteract odors and disinfect the property.
Floodwater may cause severe damages in the long run if not handled by a professional. Call SERVPRO of Newark, Southwest Fremont at (510) 737-8793 for effective restoration to make it, “Like it never even happened.”
Preparing for Potential Flood Damage in Newark, CA
8/19/2021 (Permalink)
Was your home recently flooded due to a broken pipe? Contact our SERVPRO team for effective flood damage remediation services.
You Can Take Several Steps to Substantially Lessen Your Flood Damage Risks
As a low-lying community on San Francisco Bay, Newark, CA is particularly prone to flooding. During the late fall and winter months, when precipitation increases, local flooding risks markedly rise. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the risks of suffering flood damage.
When it comes to flood damage in Newark, your neighbors at SERVPRO know everything about it. As a highly experienced emergency water damage services, biohazard remediation, and flood restoration firm, we have encountered and successfully dealt with most types of flood-related problems in this city. This has given our skilled experts knowledge about how some of these issues can potentially be avoided.
A few of the ways our technicians have found that the worst flood damage can be averted are:
- Routinely inspecting and ensuring that your home’s foundation is free of damage that could allow stormwaters to enter easily and cause basement flooding
- Regularly checking and making certain that drainage networks on your property are in good working order and free of blockages
- Sandbagging the perimeter of your property to divert approaching floodwaters away from your residence
- Turning off electric and water utilities before evacuating your home so that the potential for additional damage is reduced
With all that said, remember that your helpful friends at SERVPRO of Newark, Southwest Fremont are always ready to assist you in overcoming your flood damage. Call us anytime at (510) 737-8793 for help.
What Can Newark Homeowners Do to Handle Flood Damage?
8/18/2021 (Permalink)
Flooding and storm damage is enough to endure, call SERVPRO of Newark, Southwest Fremont for the damage.
After a Newark Storm, Residents Can Look to SERVPRO for Professional Flood Damage Assistance
A lot can happen in the short timeframe of a storm in summer or any time of year. Your Newark home may have damage from high winds, and debris or heavy rain can bring in flooding to your garage, sun room, or entryway. Water removal services from skilled technicians are the best way to handle contaminated storm flooding, and this is where our crew at SERVPRO shines. We know the best methods to tackle all types of water damage and storm-related restoration, and We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. This means that rather than waiting for bacteria-laden water to linger inside your living space, you can have it cleaned, dried, and sanitized.
The SERVPRO crew best addresses flood damage after storms in Newark – we handle it all, including:
- Basement flooding cleanup
- A leaking roof from storms, including tarping and board up services
- Water removals using high-powered, debris-capable extractors
- Cleaning up after a sewage backup should heavy rain and flooding cause an upset to your system
- Controlled demolition to remove and replace contaminated, unsalvageable building materials – General Contractor License #: 937457
Water Migration Monitoring is Crucial
Any storm flood situation means following areas where water may have migrated. This helps us pinpoint areas for drying and cleaning to ensure no moisture or bacteria are left behind. Some of the equipment that we use during the process for tracing include:
- Penetrating and non-penetrating moisture detection tools
- Moisture sensors and meters
- Thermal imaging equipment
Whenever we determine moisture present behind walls or baseboards, we may perform flood cuts or use boreholes to facilitate easier drying and cleaning. Everything gets finished off with new materials to make it “Like it never even happened.”
SERVPRO of Newark, Southwest Fremont is available whenever you need us for flood damage and storm cleanup. You can reach our crew by calling (510) 737-8793.
What Services Are Necessary After Flood Damage Affects My Newark Home?
5/20/2021 (Permalink)
Flooding quickly causes water damage. Contact SERVPRO for water removal and remediation services.
SERVPRO’s Package of Water Removal Services Helps Resolve Any Issues in Newark Homes
Flooding may be a single event, but restoring your property requires diverse processes like cleaning, drying, and repairing deteriorated materials. Sometimes the movement of items and odor management is also necessary. Before embarking on the actual restoration processes, there is also a need to inspect everything and assess the level of moisture migration throughout the property.
Finding a service provider that can handle all the processes necessary to restore flood damage at your Newark home can ease your burden. SERVPRO provides a fully trained and adequately equipped team that works with ease cleaning your home to sanitary levels. Our technicians are knowledgeable in fabric and upholstery cleaning, so we can help you eliminate contaminants without causing physical damages to your items.
Because floodwaters heavily contaminate porous materials, the need for teardown and removal of such materials arises. It is a task that requires finesse since haphazard demolition can cause unnecessary physical damage to the property. Our SERVPRO technicians follow laid down procedures such as making flood cuts a few inches above the water line to create room for removing wet wall materials. We also drill small weep or vent holes to release trapped water from cavities. With our services, it is easier to perform:
- Biohazard remediation
- Sewage cleanup
- Basement flooding
SERVPRO of Newark, Southwest Fremont is experienced in flood damage restoration. Call us at (510) 737-8793 for assistance.
Flash Flooding Can Cause Flood Damage to Newark Homes
4/29/2021 (Permalink)
Storms can come on quick with no notice, call SERVPRO of Newark, South Fremont today.
Mitigating flood damage in Newark is what SERVPRO does best
Flash flooding from storms can happen rapidly. It leaves lower levels and basements contaminated with black water. You can wind up with a foot or more of water in your home. While you cannot predict the weather, you can predict your reaction if flash flooding occurs.
What Are the First Steps When a Home is Flood Damaged?
Getting you and your family to safety is the first priority. When that is taken care of, calling in professional flood damage services in Newark should be next on the list. Our team of water mitigation pros strive to restore your home to preloss condition. Often emergency services for water damage are needed immediately. This process can involve:
- Quick water extraction and mucking out debris if needed
- Protecting content from extended damage
- Cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing exposed surfaces
- Drying out the residence
- Using controlled demolition if required
When our trained technicians get to things like leaking roofs from storms and basement flooding cleanup immediately, it can reduce your losses. We do everything possible to restore your residence. This can include procedures such as tearing out damaged structural components and reconstructing where needed. Flash flooding can be scary, but our Green Team is available 24/7. For more information on how we can help, contact SERVPRO of Newark, South Fremont at (510) 737-8793.
Do You Need Renters Insurance for Flood Damage?
3/29/2021 (Permalink)
Let SERVPRO help you and your family shield from any more issues after storm damage.
Newark residents are concerned about flood protection
If you are a renter, it is a good idea to get insurance. Although your landlord is responsible for the property, renters insurance can protect your belongings or help you pay to replace them in the event of an incident.
If you suffer flood damage in your Newark rental home, can renters insurance help you? No – in most cases, renters insurance does not cover flood damage. However, you can purchase separate flood damage insurance. If your area is inclined to flooding or you have valuables that you are concerned about, it is wise to buy flood damage insurance.
SERVPRO can help you liaise with your insurance company. We can:
- Give you impartial advice on what to keep and what to toss.
- Clean and restore your personal items so you can claim for repair rather than a replacement – most insurance companies prefer this option.
- Take photographs and provide evidence of loss for your insurance claim.
We are happy to talk to your insurance company on your behalf – ask your SERVPRO representative.
To get help with flood damage, call SERVPRO of Newark, Southwest Fremont at (510) 737-8793.
Recovering After a Flood in Newark
2/26/2021 (Permalink)
Flood damage in Newark homes? SERVPRO has you covered.
The Role of Dehumidifiers in Flood Damage Restoration
A crucial component of flood damage restoration is the appropriate use of dehumidifiers. SERVPRO's trained professionals can usually tell if the equipment is functioning correctly the air exhausting from the dehumidifier is drier than the air sucked in. However, our technicians evaluate using grain depression (GDEP) for accurate results.
When you require flood damage restoration for your Newark home, you should contemplate professionals with access to professional-grade equipment. Air movers and dehumidifiers play a crucial role in reducing moisture and humidity levels after a flood.
How to determine the effectiveness of a dehumidifier:
- Technicians use the grain depression reading to see the amount of water pulled from the air.
- The grain depression reading multiplied by the movement of cubic feet per minute, divided by 71, equals the number of pints of water pulled from the air daily.
- 71 represents the rest of the mathematical equation required to produce the accurate number of pints.
- The formula is Pints Per 24hr = CFM x GD / 71.
For assistance with commercial restoration, you can contact SERVPRO of Newark, Southwest Fremont 24/7 at (510) 737-8793.
How do Newark residents get Help with their Contents after a Flood?
2/3/2021 (Permalink)
Any type of damage can be scary, but storm damage can be harder depending on the damage. Call SERVPRO of Newark, Southwest Fremont.
SERVPRO can Help with Post-Flood Move Back Services for Contents of Newark Homes
After our SERVPRO professionals have worked to restore a Newark home after a flood loss, it is time to return removed belongings and possessions to their original positions. The pack-out process relocated numerous valuable contents to our nearby warehouse for intricate cleaning, drying, and safe storage. Before these belongings can get brought back to the residence, some final checks must occur.
Our team strives to provide complete recovery of flood damage in Newark homes, and that means an assurance that cleaning and restoration of your belongings are as thorough as these same processes in the house. Throughout the off-site restoration, your belongings get grouped and cataloged together, ensuring that these items do not get unduly separated, and customers wait longer than they should. Keeping these contents close together also helps with preparing for their return to the formerly damaged residence.
Before reloading up all of the boxes and moving containers with your possessions to bring them back, we stage all of these items in our warehouse based on the room and area of the house where they belong. This final account of the items can help to determine multiple potential problems and remedy these situations before it poses a more significant challenge for our SERVPRO team. Staging restored items can show the technicians:
- Any damages that might have gotten missed through the restoration process
- Any cataloged items that might not be present
- Lingering odors or staining with items pulled directly from flood water
Once all of the final checks have completed, our professionals can help to reposition removed items back where they belong in the household. Extra steps like these can make flood losses feel much more “Like it never even happened.”
As challenging as flood losses can be, caring for your belongings should not be an afterthought. Let our SERVPRO of Newark, Southwest Fremont team help you to care for nearly every facet of flood recovery, and the effects that these disasters have on your possessions, with experience. Give us a call anytime that you need us at (510) 737-8793.
24/7 Flood Damage Cleanup in Fremont?
1/25/2021 (Permalink)
Storms are common in the area. Make sure you contact the SERVPRO team for the storm damage remediation services needed for your home.
Call SERVPRO for Fremont Flood Damage Restoration
Flooding is one of the most damaging disasters in the United States and one of the most common. Floodwaters create extensive water damage while also bringing in contaminants that make prolonged occupation unsafe without professional assistance.
Your local SERVPRO renders flood damage restoration for Fremont homes that starts within hours of your call. Techs coordinate with homeowners and insurance adjusters to restore your property to a preloss condition.
Rebuilding Services After Flooding
One of the essential aspects of cleanup after performing mitigation services is rebuilding. SERVPRO sports a general contracting license (# 937457), which allows the team to perform a multitude of tasks to prepare flood-damaged Fremont homes for occupants, including:
- Installation of replacement carpeting and drywall
- HVAC and electrical repair services
- Repair of salvageable furniture and electronics (minor exterior drying only)
SERVPRO’s all-in-one service also streamlines the documentation process for repairs, making filing a flood claim more convenient for homeowners.
Call SERVPRO of Newark, Southwest Fremont at (510) 737-8793 for flood damage restoration services.